Going on a Cruise? Here’s How to Stay Healthy Onboard

By Ivan PetrenkoMay 18, 2024 00:30 AMNews
Share:
White cruise ship during sunset
White cruise ship during sunset. Source: unsplash

Viruses and bacteria spread quickly on ships, but experts say good hygiene and advance planning can help you keep sickness at bay. Cruise ships are well-known incubators of gastrointestinal illnesses, with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offering a database of cases by year. Although most cruises don't experience issues, the confined spaces mean even one sick person can create a serious situation, explains Tullia Marcolongo, former executive director of the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers. "It’s the domino effect, and you have nowhere to go," she says.

What Cruise Companies Do to Minimize Risks

Cruise companies strive to maintain cleanliness and monitor health onboard. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Carnival Cruise Line has implemented expanded protocols, including enhanced sanitation measures and pre-boarding medical evaluations. Royal Caribbean Cruises highlights its health and safety program, which includes frequent inspections, water system testing, and strict food handling rules.

How to Protect Your Health Onboard

Passengers play a crucial role in maintaining their health. "The first thing I would say is that the power is in your hands," Marcolongo says. Frequent hand washing is essential to prevent norovirus, colds, and other illnesses. She recommends singing "Happy Birthday" twice to ensure thorough cleaning and using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water aren't available. Ships often provide sanitizer stands for passenger use.

Infectious disease specialist David Parenti advises being mindful of touching surfaces like handrails and avoiding contact with your face until you can wash your hands. Despite precautions, there are many ways to get sick on both ship and land. "It all has to do with luck," Parenti says. "If you’re on a ship with norovirus, that’s bad luck."

Give Yourself a Pre-Cruise Check-Up

Travelers should schedule a pre-vacation doctor’s appointment to ensure their immunizations are current. Depending on the destination, vaccines like the flu shot might be necessary even in summer. Parenti also recommends vaccines for Hepatitis A and checking immunity to measles.

Packing a first-aid kit and standard over-the-counter medications, such as Loperamide (Imodium) and oral rehydration salts, is a smart move due to limited medical supplies onboard. Miami-based attorney Jack Hickey advises getting trip insurance that covers air ambulance transportation to avoid high costs in emergencies.

If You Do Get Sick

Be realistic about the level of medical care available on a ship. Hickey advises, "If you get sick or injured, get back to the U.S. as quickly as possible." Cruise ships, while excellent at hospitality, often lack adequate medical facilities and staff to handle serious health issues. "It’s not a hospital, but a ship carrying 3,000 to 6,000 people and going to isolated areas of the world," Hickey says.

Mental health can also be a concern during a cruise, especially for those prone to anxiety or claustrophobia. A cruise quarantine can exacerbate these issues, and travel insurance may not cover mental health problems.

Ventilation Considerations

As scientists learn more about virus transmission, there may be increased scrutiny of cruise ship ventilation systems. Unlike hospitals, which can have rooms with frequent air exchanges, most cruise ship accommodations lack this feature. Parenti suggests opting for a cabin with a window for better air circulation.

By following these tips and maintaining good hygiene, passengers can enjoy their cruise while minimizing health risks.

Top Articles
Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Mar 3, 2025 18:00 PM
Practical Eco-Friendly Travel Solutions for Sustainable Tourism

Practical Eco-Friendly Travel Solutions for Sustainable Tourism

Feb 14, 2025 15:00 PM

Top Tips for Securing Your Luggage and Preventing Loss

Feb 7, 2025 14:00 PM

Your Guide to Hand Luggage and Baggage Rules

Feb 4, 2025 20:00 PM
More News
Malaysia Airlines aircraft being loaded at the airport gate

Malaysia Airlines Reinstates Brisbane Route with Expanded Regional Access

Apr 18, 2025 23:21 PM
Aerial view of a beach on Seychelles, with turquoise waves and granite rock formations

Seychelles Launches Marine Programme for Environmentally Minded Travellers

Apr 18, 2025 21:34 PM

Maintenance Work to Impact Summer Departures at Hannover Airport

Apr 18, 2025 19:48 PM

Severe Rail Disruptions Ahead of Marathon and FA Cup

Apr 18, 2025 17:23 PM
Singapore Airlines Airbus A380 aircraft in mid-flight against a grey sky

Asia Travel Made Easier with New Airline Partnership

Apr 18, 2025 15:35 PM
Crowne Plaza hotel building under clear sky

Business Travel Gets Personal: New Hotel Perk Encourages Guests to Bring a Companion

Apr 17, 2025 23:31 PM
Emirates Airbus A380 taking off from the runway during daytime

Easter Flights Bring Seasonal Comforts for Travelers

Apr 17, 2025 20:25 PM
Two people walking with an umbrella during heavy rain on a flooded street

Weekend Weather Threatens Travel Across South West England

Apr 17, 2025 18:47 PM
Wizz Air aircraft in flight against cloudy sky

Wizz Air Expands Naples Routes with New Travel Destinations

Apr 17, 2025 16:33 PM

Maui faces water shortage amid tourist comfort

Apr 16, 2025 22:39 PM

New Direct Flight Simplifies Travel Between Munich and Dubai

Apr 16, 2025 20:42 PM
Interior view of Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 2 with immigration area and directional signs

Changi Lounges to Expand Space and Comfort Over Two Years

Apr 16, 2025 18:24 PM
Rail workers operating heavy machinery to replace tracks during infrastructure upgrade

Train Delays Expected on Pisa to Rome Line This Summer

Apr 16, 2025 16:37 PM
Traveler with suitcase watching airplane take off at airport terminal

Antalya Airport Upgrade Enhances Travel Experience

Apr 15, 2025 16:46 PM
Dynjandi waterfall cascading down a rocky mountain in Westfjords, Iceland

Iceland’s Expanding Appeal for Nature-Loving Travellers

Apr 15, 2025 14:53 PM

Flexible Antalya Trips Now Easier from Graz

Apr 15, 2025 12:37 PM

UK Rain Warning Triggers Travel Caution for Midweek Journeys

Apr 15, 2025 10:44 AM
Ryanair plane landing at airport

Hidden Fees and Access Problems Reported on eDreams

Apr 15, 2025 08:21 AM
Passengers seated inside a city bus

Electric Buses Make Exploring Exeter Smoother for Visitors

Apr 15, 2025 06:39 AM
Munich Airport's central plaza with glass roof and modern architecture

New Munich Route Eases Access to Canadian Rockies

Apr 14, 2025 23:56 PM
Rail workers conducting track maintenance during daytime engineering works

Easter Rail Closures to Impact UK Holiday Travel

Apr 14, 2025 21:42 PM
Ryanair airplane in mid-flight against a blue sky

Expedia Adds Direct Ryanair Bookings Amid Shift in Airline Strategy

Apr 14, 2025 19:38 PM

Traveler Left Without Wheelchair After Hawaii Flight

Apr 13, 2025 21:41 PM

Winter Closure of Burgas Airport Will Impact Air Travel

Apr 13, 2025 19:34 PM
View of an empty airplane aisle from a low angle, showing rows of seats and overhead bins

Avelo Faces Backlash Over Deportation Flight Deal

Apr 12, 2025 22:49 PM
Airplane at airport gate during sunrise with ground crew preparing for departure

Quick Getaways Changing the Way Europe Travels

Apr 12, 2025 19:51 PM